Lovie Simone Oppong (born November 29, 1998)[1][2] is an American actress, best known for her role as Zora Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf.
Lovie Simone | |
---|---|
![]() Simone interviewed in 2020 | |
Born | Lovie Simone Oppong (1998-11-29) November 29, 1998 (age 23) New York City, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2009–present |
Simone was born in New York City at The Bronx and raised in Orange County, New York. Here, she attended Monroe-Woodbury High School from her freshman year to senior year. Her mother is African American and her father is Ghanaian.[3] She has a twin sister named Yuri, who's a musician that goes by Reiyo The Giant[4] and a younger brother and sister.[1][5] She studied at an acting school in New York and later appeared in a national commercial for JC Penney.[1]
In 2016, Simone began starring in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf playing the role of Zora Greenleaf, the daughter of Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne) and Jacob Greenleaf (Lamman Rucker).[5] Simone was originally cast as a recurring cast member, but was promoted to a series regular as of the second season.[6] Simone later made her film debut in a supporting role opposite Jennifer Hudson in the 2018 drama film Monster, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.[1][7] The following year, she appeared in two drama films that premiered at 2019 Sundance Film Festival: Share and played a leading role in Selah and the Spades.[8][9] Both films has received positive reviews from critics.[10][11] In 2020, Simone played one of leads in writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones' horror film The Craft: Legacy, a sequel to the 1996 film The Craft.[12][13][14]
In 2021, Simone starred in the first season of Starz crime drama series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan.[15] In 2022, she was cast opposite Tobias Menzies Apple TV+ limited series, Manhunt.[16] She starred in the period drama film The Walk, and set to appear in the science fiction thriller 57 Seconds.[17]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Monster | Renee Pickford | |
2019 | Share | Jenna | |
2019 | Selah and the Spades | Selah Summers | |
2020 | The Craft: Legacy | Tabby | |
2022 | The Walk | Wendy Robbins | |
2023 | 57 Seconds | Post-production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016–20 | Greenleaf | Zora Greenleaf | Main role, 60 episodes |
2017 | Orange Is the New Black | Jasmin | 1 episode |
2017 | Blue Bloods | Gina Walker | 1 episode |
2020 | Social Distance[18] | Ayana | 1 episode |
2021 | Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Davina Harrison | Main role, 10 episodes |
TBA | Manhunt | Mary Simms | Upcoming miniseries |